(Lawrenceville, Ga., February 5, 2016) – Gwinnett County Firefighters responded at 1:07p.m., to a report from a neighbor of a house fire in the 2000 block of Meyers Drive, SE in (unincorporated) Lawrenceville.  The caller reported smoke pouring from the home.  It was unknown whether anyone was inside at the time of the 9-1-1 call.  The blaze was brought under control by 1:47p.m.   

Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke and flames inside the living room of a single-story wood frame house on a slab.  The occupant, an adult male and his dog were out in the front yard when the first fire truck and police arrived.  There were no injuries reported. 

Firefighters deployed attack hose lines and immediately entered the burning home to extinguish the fire and conduct a primary search.  The aggressive actions of the firefighters kept the flames from breaking through the roof of the home.  The blaze caused heavy damage to the living room and sent significant smoke and heat throughout the rest of the house.  The fire appears accidental and was sparked by combustibles (folded laundry) that were too close to the fireplace.  The occupant had a fire in the gas fireplace at the time.

The homeowner was out looking for his dog in the neighborhood and was not at home when the fire erupted.  He returned to find smoke and flames inside the house and also called 9-1-1 to report the fire.  The man lives in the home with his wife and their dog and all are being displaced due to the damage.  They did not request assistance from the American Red Cross.          

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: 3-Engines, 1-Ladder Truck, 1-Squad, 1-Air & Light Unit, 1-Medic Unit, 2-Battalion Chiefs, 1-Fire Investigator and 1-PIO